Early Learning Coalition To Hold May 22 Summit

Register by May 20

Preparing our youngest children for success in school and life will be the focus of an Early Learning Summit on May 22 in White Salmon.

The summit will be held at the Pioneer Center, 501 N.E. Washington Street, and run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The summit keynote speaker will be Jeanne Anderson, executive director of the Foundation for Early Learning in Seattle. Since 2001 the Foundation has fostered community-based efforts that support parents as their child's first teacher and programs that help all children have access to high-quality child care.

The summit will address three areas essential to child and family well-being. These are:

Parent information and access to resources, with a focus on supporting parents success as their child's first teacher;

Early education and care, with a focus on enhancing child care quality; and

School readiness, with a focus on a smooth transition between early childhood and the start of Kindergarten in the public school system..

Doreen Hotchkiss, of Mid-Columbia Children's Council -- Head Start/EACAP Education Coordinator, said, "We now know that most brain development occurs in the first few years of life. Providing time and funds to support parents and early learning is the best investment we can make."

The summit is sponsored by the Skamania and Klickitat County Early Learning Coalition. The coalition is comprised of a broad array of partners including the Klickitat County Health Department, Mid-Columbia Children's Council, Bambino's and Wee Care Child Care Centers, Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, White Salmon School District, Skamania and Klickitat County Community Network.

There is no cost for attending the summit and lunch will be provided.

Registration is required by May 20, as space is limited. To register contact Laura South at laura.south@esd112.org or call toll free (800) 282-0874.